Lenoir-Rhyne University Athletics

Holly Zador joined the Lenoir-Rhyne Women's Soccer coaching staff as an assistant coach in the Spring of 2025 and promoted to Associate Head Coach in the Summer prior to the 2026 season. 

During her first year in Hickory, Zador helped lead the Bears to a 13-5-3 (7-1-2 SAC) record and their fourth NCAA Southeast Regional Championship in program history. The Bears defeated Columbus State, North Georgia, and Lander by 1-0 scores before falling 2-1 to eventual national champion Florida Tech in the national quarterfinal. Seven Bears were named to the All-SAC team while Katie Durham and Ava Hartman were named All-Region performers.

Zador came to LR after spending the previous four seasons at Mars Hill University. She was a graduate assistant for the Lions in 2020-21 before being promoted to a full time assistant coach in August of 2021. She was named the Mars Hill head coach prior to the 2022 season, a position she held for three years. While at Mars Hill, Zador was vital in leading the Lions to their best season in 11 years during the 2023 campaign. 

A highly accomplished player at Limestone, Zador was named team captain during the spring semester of her freshman year.  From 2016-2018, she was named an All-Conference Carolinas First-Team selection, First-Team D2CCA & NSCA All-Southeast Region selection, as well as Conference Carolinas All-Academic team.

She added Second-Team United Soccer Coaches All-American in 2017 and a Third-Team selection in 2018.  In her senior season, Zador was recognized as a First-Team United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-American and the Conference Carolinas Scholar Athlete of the Year. She helped the Saints win four conference tournament and three regular season Conference Carolinas crowns. 

Zador began her coaching career as a community coach at AFC Fylde Community Foundation in 2011.  She volunteered throughout the decade at Preston North End Football Club and with the Sir Tom Finney Foundation.

Zador graduated from Limestone in 2019 with a degree in Physical Education - Strength & Conditioning with a minor in Coaching.